Combined dust and water proof protector for shelf goods



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8 N. J. BRANDEBERRY. COMBINED DUST AND WATER PROQTE PROTECTOR FOR SHELF GOODS. 110. 515,141.

Patented Feb. 20, 18.94.

Will Z5755 I NITED STATES ATENT FFICEG;

COMBINED DUST AND WATER PROOF PROTECTOR FOR SHELF GOODS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 515,141, dated February 20, 1894.

I I Application filed June 23,1890. Serial No.- 356,862- (No model.)

To 00 whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NEWTON J. BRANDE- BERRY, of Swanton, in the county of Fulton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Combined Dust and WVater Proof Protector for Shelf Goods; and I do hereby declare that the following isa full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompany ing drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form part of this specification.

This invention relates to a combined dust and water proof protector for shelf goods.

Heretofore, it has been customary to protect shelf goods against dust, and more particularly dry goods, by a curtain of a material the texture of which is sufficiently close to preclude the entrance of dust to the said goods, but not heavy enough to turn water. These curtains have usually been removably suspended upon hooks secured above the shelving, which fastening is not of a nature to draw the curtains tightly against the shelves, but leaves a considerable space between them and the goods through which the dust settles. This is a source not only of much trouble, but also of considerable loss to dry goods merchants, inasmuch as the fold in double width goods such as cashmere, alpaca, merinos, &c., becomes discolored from the dust and frequent brushing to remove the same, thereby making it necessary to sell them at a reduced rate in order to dispose of them at all. Moreover, it is a well known fact, that in case of fire it frequently happens that more goods are damaged by water than by the flames for the rea son that such curtains are of no protection, as the water easily penetrates them and allows the goods to become saturated.

It is the object of this invention to overcome these obstacles by producing a curtain which will at one and the same time be dust and water proof, and if desired fire proof, and which may be easily and rapidly brought into position to cover the goods completely, and in such a manner, that no dust can find its way behind the same; furthermore, to produce a self removing curtain in contradistinction to the ordinary kind which have to be put up every night, and taken down and folded away every morning.

With these objects in view, the invention consists in providing a curtain adapted to move in guides or ways formed respectively in the molding and base of the shelving and connecting therewith mechanism for removing the said curtain from in front of the shelving. I

The invention further consists in providing a roller carrying a curtain of sufficientlength to cover any given length of shelving, and connecting mechanism therewith for causing the said roller automatically to remove the curtain from the front of the said shelving.

The invention further consists in providing a roller carrying a curtain of sufficient length to extend the entire distance of a series of shelves, and actuating the said roller by a spring independent of the same.

The invention further consists in providing a spring actuated shaft carrying a pulley, a roller carrying a curtain, and connecting the roller and shaft by a flexible connection, whereby, the unwinding of the curtain rotates the spring actuated shaft and thus stores up sufficient power to rewind the curtain to cause it to uncover the shelves.

The invention finally consists in the various novel detailsof construction of the said device, as will be hereinafter fully described in the specification, illustrated in the drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of the specification, and in which like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts, I have illustrated one form of device embodying the essential features of my invention, although the same may be carried into effect in other ways without in the least departing from the spirit thereof, and in the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a section of shelving showing the curtain placed thereon. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view, showing more particularly the guides or ways in which the curtain moves. Fig. 3 is an end View of the shelving, showing more particularly the guide roller, and roller carrying the curtain, and Fig. 4 is a bottom plan 7, the opposite end of which is secured to a pulley 8, mounted upon a shaft 9, which shaft is actuated by a spring 10 rigidly secured thereon. The spring and pulley are arranged within a suitable boxing 11, mounted below the base 12, of the shelving.

Within the base 12, and molding 13, are arranged guides or ways 14 and 15, in which move cords 16, secured within pockets formed respectively inthe upper and lower edges of the curtain 18 which cords move freely within the said guides, but are too large to be drawn out through the recess in which the curtain moves.

Having thus fully described my invention, I will explain the manner of its operaticn: In setting up the device, the ,two pulleys 6 and 8, are so arranged with relation to each other, that one revolution of the pulley 8, will cause the pulley 6 to revolve say six times. This arrangement is necessary, inasmuch as it would be extremely diflicult to furnish springs which would have a winding capacity of say one hundred and twenty feet, which is frequently the length of a single section of shelving in large stores. The size of the two rollers may however be varied to meet the requirements of the case. When the device is to be used, the operator grasps a strengthen ing piece 17, secured to the free end of the curtain, and runs out the same the entire length of the shelving, and secures the free end in any suitable manner to, the end of the turn water, and for this purpose a canvas cloth is preferable. Moreover the utility of this device may be highly increased by coating the curtain with a refractory paint or varnish, whereby, the curtain will serve a threefold purpose, that of a dust, water and fire proof protector.

If desired also the rollers 5 and 4 may incased in such manner as to be invisible.

Having thus fully described my invention,

what I claim asnew, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The combination with the shelving having parallel horizontal grooves formed in the molding and base of the same, a casing arranged in one corner of the shelving the horizontal shaft journaled within the casing, a coiled spring attached to said shaft, a grooved roller also mounted upon said shaft, the horizontal brackets attached to one end of the shelving, the vertical curtain roll, journaled between the-brackets at a point to the rear of the grooved roller on the horizontal shaft, the vertical guide roll journaled also between the brackets opposite the horizontal grooves in the molding and base, the cord wound upon the horizontal roller and the lower end of curtain roller and passing through a perforation in the case, and the curtain having corded edges adapted to run in the horizontal groove in the molding and base.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I hereby affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

NEWTON J. BRANDEBERRY.

Witnesses:

- WILLIAM WEBSTER,

R. M. ELLIOTT. 

